Massachusetts Marks 16th Anniversary Of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

BOSTON (CBS) – The 206 victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks who had ties to Massachusetts were remembered Monday, the 16th anniversary, at several events.

Read: Profiles Of Massachusetts 9/11 Victims

Dozens gathers after dark to honor victims with a candlelight vigil but many spend the day with 9/11 on their minds.

A ceremony at the State House began with the lowering of the flag at 8:30 a.m.

A moment of silence was held, and the names of the victims were read by city and state officials including Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Gov. Charlie Baker, and Attorney General Maura Healey.

Walsh talked about the families of those affected.

"They see it in the news, they see it in the paper, they see it all over the place," the mayor said. "What's incredible is, so many of these families have done so many remarkable and incredible things in memory of their loved ones."

Inside the State House at 9:30 a.m., the Madeline Sweeney Award for Bravery was presented to 10-year-old Jaydon Dancy of Salem. His mother, Michelle, accepted it on his behalf.

Jaydon tried to save a kayaker who was struggling in the water near his home in 2016, pulling the man ashore and calling police. Jaydon was tragically hit and killed by a train in June.

More: Sweeney Award Posthumously Presented To 10-Year-Old Salem Hero

The award is named for Madeline "Amy" Sweeney, a flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to leave Logan Airport and crash into one of the World Trade Center towers in lower Manhattan.

She called a ground supervisor and relayed information about the hijackers to investigators.

At 1 p.m., a wreath laying ceremony was held at the Boston Public Garden.

At Fenway Park, the Red Cross teamed up with the Red Sox and other Boston organizations to host a "Day of Remembrance" blood drive from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christie Coombs lost her husband on 9/11.

"9/11 has been designated as a day of service and remembrance so what better way to spend the day than to give blood or participate in some service project," she said.

Meanwhile, on the greenway, volunteers created a production line to create care packages that will be sent to troops overseas.

"I'm here to honor my father-in-law, and my brother who have both served in the service, and to remember everybody from 9/11," one volunteer said.

For more information on the day's events, visit the Mass 9/11 Fund website.